Kensington – Secrecy by the MacLauchlan Liberals over details of government’s multi-million dollar deal with Bell Aliant for high-speed rural Internet service is frustrating Kensington-Malpeque MLA and Opposition Economic Development and Tourism Critic Matthew MacKay.

“Concerns over poor access to high-speed Internet is one of the most common concerns I hear from residents and businesses. It affects students, farmers, residents and small businesses all over rural Prince Edward Island. We’ve been trying to learn more about the deal but government MLA’s are throwing up road blocks at every turn. There’s no need of it,” says MacKay.

For months MacKay and Opposition members of the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development have been pushing for more information around the government contract with Bell Aliant to provide high-speed Internet to rural Prince Edward Island. After the province refused to release the contract to the Standing Committee this week MacKay and Opposition MLA’s moved to subpoena the documents only to be blocked by the Liberal government majority on the committee. After using procedural maneuvers to prevent the release of the documents MacKay left the committee meeting yesterday in frustration at the obstruction from government MLA’s on the committee.

“The secrecy from the MacLauchlan Liberals over this is frustrating. The bottom line is that we’re paying millions of tax dollars for a service Islanders aren’t getting and Islanders deserve answers,” said MacKay.